What is Cyber Defamation ?
Defamation means damaging one’s reputation. When this is done on cyber space it is known as Cyber Defamation.
Cyber defamation involves the use of cyber space to defame an individual, organization or entity, via emails, websites, messaging or broadcasting services etc.
What are the threats ?
The exposure, reach and connectivity in the online world have far surpassed the physical world, and cyber criminals use and exploit these features. Acts of cyber crime include:
- Posting lewd comments on social networking websites
- Circulating defamatory emails/messages
- Writing defamatory blog articles
As an example of cyber crime, consider this scenario. A student is scolded by his teacher for not paying attention in class. In a fit of rage, the student creates an anonymous account on a social networking website and begins to post obscene and lewd comments about his teacher. In this case, the teacher’s reputation is damaged and the student becomes a cyber criminal.
What are the risks ?
What makes cyber crimes so dangerous is that most of the damage is not tangible and easily recovered. Cyber defamation can result in loss of credibility, reputation and brand value all of which are intangible and can take years to earn. Thus the consequences of such attacks are enormous.
